Permutation lock



39 Vmgwy@ gwuenhws: L .3 Au N was J C ,SAUNDaRS 2 Sheets-Shes t. 1 4E PERMUTATION LOCK J. L. SAUNDERS ET AL Flled Nov. 24, 1922 Aug. 5 1924.

Aug. 5, 1924.

J. L. SAUNDERS ET AL PERMUTATION LOCK x Fed Nov. 24, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F G FIG-6.

Patented Aug. 5, 1924.

JOHN L. SAUNDERS AND JESSE C. SAUNDERS, OF SEDALIA, MISSOURI, .ASSIGNORS OF ONE-FOURTH TO W. V7. BARRETT .AND ONE-FOURTH TO E. R. BARRETT, BO'TI-I 0F SEDALIA, MISSOURI.

PER/MUTATION LQCK.

Application led November 24, 1922. Serial No. 603,096.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHNY L. SAUNDERS and Jessy: Sminaires, citizens of the United States,Av residing at Sedalia, in the county of Pettis and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Permutation Locks; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionol the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.`

The present invention relates to permutation locks, and aims to provide such a lock comprising a. novel construction and assemblage of the component elements whereby to enhance the 'efficiency and utility of lthe device.

As a more specific object, the invention aims to provide a tumbler device,'which can,` under certain predetermined requirements be removed as a unit for changing the combination, or Afor making adjustments, or the like. i t

Another object is the provisionV of a tumbler device whose parts are assembled together as a unit in a novel manner for cooperation. t v Y A further object is the provision of a tumbler device for permutation locks in `which the relatively movable tuinblers have cooperative elements which, in a predetermined relation ot' the tumblers, are adapted to open the lock.V y

A still further object isthe provision of a tumblerdevice of thekind indicatedot' novel construction to enable. various combination changes to bematle by theY relative positions oi the cooperative elements of the several tumblers. l l W7ith the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction and arranoement of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is villustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a front view of the improved lock, constructed as a padlock as shown.

Figs. 2 and 3`are enlargedsectional views on the lines '2 2 and 3--3, respectively, o1" Fig. 1, Fig. 2 showing the tumblers as in position for unlocking the lock, with the .balls shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is 'a section on the line 4 4 ot Fig. 3, on a reduced scale, taken between the sections or plates of the body or case, portions being shown in elevation.

'Fig'. 5 is 'a view showing the parts of the tumbler device separated, partly in elevation and partly in section.

Fig. 6 is a view corresponding with Fig. 4 showing the tumblers arranged 'for un locking, with the shackle in open position and turned to permit the tumibler unit or device to be removed.

The body or case of the lock, which is in the form of a padlock as shown, comprises the two sections or halves 11 placed together and constituting` plates of suitable metal, said sections or plates being secured together by means of rivets 12 engaged therethrough orby other securing means. rlhe body or case has a recess 13 opening at one side and extending through one section 11 and into the other, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, and said body has the bores 14 and 15 between them, which are formed by providing complementary grooves in the adjacent or confronting surfaces of the sectionsll. Said bores are parallel, as shown, and extend to one edge of the body, which is the top of thebody as shown, and said bores terminate short of the opposite edge or bottom of the body. The bores 14 and 15 are arranged tangentially relatively to the recess 13, at opposite' sides of said recesses withsaid bores intersecting the periphery of the recess 18, as seen in Figs. `4 and 6.

The shackle 15 has `a long limb or shank 17 fitted inthe bore 14 for turning and sliding movements, and the inner or lower end of said shank 17 has a head or collar 18 movable within an enlargement 19 of the bore 14 at the 'inner end thereof, thereby preventing the withdrawal of the shank 17 from the body, but permitting the shackle to have a limited sliding movement longitudinally oi the shank 17 as well as a turning movement about the axis of said shank. The opposite terminal of the shackle has a stub 20 to enter the bore 15 when the shackle is closed, and an ejector pin 21 is slidable in the bore 15 to abut the stub 20, a coiled spring 22 being conned in the bore 15 between the pin 21 and bottom or inner end of said bore, for projecting the pin 21, so

that when the shackle 16 is released, the spring 22 in forcing the pin 21 outwardly, as seen in Fig. 6, will disengage the free end of the shackle from the case or body, so that the shackle can be swung o r turned to open position, as seen in Fig. 6.

The body or case has an elongated recess 23, formed by complementary grooves or channels in the adjacent surfaces of the sec-4 tions 11, and located tangentially relatively to the i'ecess 13 at substantially right angles with the bores 14 and 15 adjacent to the upper edge of the body. -A latch 24 is slidable in the recess 23 tangentially relatively to the recess 13 and tumbler device therein, and the stub 2O has a notch 25 for the engagement of one end of said latch, to hold the shackle in closed position, as seen in Fig. 4. A coiled spring 26 is confined in the recess 23 between the latch 24 and the end of the recess 23 which terminates short of the bore 14, the other end of said recess opening into the bore 15 to enable the latch to engage the shackle. The latch 24 has a lug 27 devpending or projecting into the recess 13-to be operated by the tumbler device to re tractV the latch, for releasing the shackle, as will hereinafter more fully appear. The shank 17 and latch 24 can be readily placed between the sections 11 before they are se* cured together, and the pin 21 and its spring 22 are readily inserted in and removed from the bore 15 when the shackle is in open position.

The tumbler device or unit is fitted in the recess 13 of the body or case from one side thereof, and comprises the dials or circular Yindex members 30, 31 and `32 which are concentric. The dial or index member 30 is a disk, Ywhile the dials or index members 31 and 32 are annular, said dials being of increasing diameters so that the face of cach of them is exposed for turning and setting the tumblers of which said dials constitute parts. Said dials 30, 31 and 32 have the respective shoulders 33, 34 and 35 extending from their inner sides, and the dial 30 has the stud or boss 36 of smaller diameter than the shoulder 33 extending inwardly beyond said shoulder, while the dials 31 and 32 have the respective annular flanges 37 and 38 of smaller diameters than the respective shoulders 34 and 35 extending inwardly beyond said shoulders. The rings` 40, 41 and 42 are fittedV snugly on the stud 36 and flanges 37 and 38, respectively, and abut the respective shoulders 33, 34 and 35. The flange 37 and dial 31 are fitted snugly around the ring 40 and shoulder 33, with the Vdial 31 having its .face `abutting a shoulder 43 on the central tumbler member' between the dial 30 and shoulder 33. In a similar manner, the dial 32 and its flange 38, constituting part of the larger or surrounding tumbler member, are fitted snugly on the ring 41 and shoulder 34 tainer by a swivel anchor pivot,

`of the intermediate tumbler member, and

37 and 38 all abut-the disk of said retainer 45, while the rim of said retainer snugly fits on or around the ring 42.' The retainer 45 is fitted snugly in the recess 173 Ywith the disk of said retainer bearing against the backwall of the body and the of the retainer snugly fitting kthe periphery of said recess, as seen iii-Figs. 2 and 3. The retainer 45 is split or divided diametrically, as at 46, so that its semi-circular halves or sections can be readily placed together or separated when the tumbler device or unit is removed from the body. rThe retainer 45 has a slot 47 to receive the lug 27 of the latch 24 when the tumbler unit is inserted into thev recess 13, and to also permit` of the movement of the lug 27 when the latch 24 is slid. The retainer 45 and central tumblerI member have a swivel connection, to hold them assembled, whereby the other tumbler members and rings are held between the dial3() and retainer 45. Thus, the disk of the retainer 45 Y has a central countersunk opening 48 receiving the countersunk head 49 `on ythe end of the stud 36, thereby anchoring the central tumbler member to the retainer 45. When the tumbler members and rings'are assembled, the halves or sections vof the retainer 45 can be readilybrought together around the ring 42, to engage 'said sect-'ions of the retainer with the head 49, and when the tumbler unit is inserted the recess'13, the sections of the retainer are prevented from being separated, thereby holding the central tumbler member assembled with the rel This enables the centraltumbler member to be rotated, and the other tumbler members can ge rotated around the central tumbler mem- In order to establish a corelation of the tumbler members, the vrings 40, 41 and 42 are provided with the respective apertures 50, 51 and 52 in which the balls 53, 54 and 55 are disposed, said balls constituting the cooperative elements or members of the tumblers. The stud 36 has an `annular series-of depressions or recesses 56 in which the ball 53 is seatable, and the flanges 37 and 38 have the annular series of apertures 57 and 58, respectively, for the engagement of the 4balls 54 and 5 5'. V,The aperture 50 of the ring 40 can be brought into registration with any of the recesses 56 of the stud 36 by turning the ring 40 on said stud, s0 that the enter the corresponding holes 61.

CIJ

ball 53 canbe seated in any one of said recesses, for changing the angular position of the ball 53 with reference to the dial 30, for changing the combination. Similarly, the apertures l and 52 of the rings 41 and 42, respectively, can be brought into registra tion with any of the respective apertures 57 and 58, to change the relative angular positions of the balls 54 and 55 with reference to the respective dials 31 and 32, for combination changes. The balls can thus vbe positioned at diiferent points around the peripheries of the'tumbler members, and in order t0 prevent the angular or rotary displacement of the rings 40, 41 and 42 relatively to the corresponding` dials 30, 31 and 32, while the parts are assembled, the outer or forward edges of said rings have dowels 60 projecting therefrom to enter4 holes 61 in the shoulders 33, 34 and 35. When the rings are slipped on the tumbler members, the apertures of the rings eanfbe brought. into registration with the desired recess 56 and apertures 57 and 58, and the dowels 60 The rings and 41 have the circumferential or annula-r groovesor channels 62 and 63, respectively, in which the balls 54 and 55 are adapted to travel when the tumblers are turned relatively t0 one another, and the rim of the retainer has an inner annular groove or channel 64 in which the ball 55 can travel, when said ball ypro-jects beyond the circumference of the ring 42.

In order that the tumbler device or unit is properly positioned in the body or case, the disk of the retainer 45 has an aperture receiving a lug or dowel 66 carried by the back of the body.

The tumbler device is held secure in the body by the shank or limb 17 of the shackle and the ejector pin 21, it being noted that said shank 17 and pin 21 pro-jects slightly into the recess 13 at opposite sides, due to the cutting of the wall of the recess 13 by the bores 14- `and 15. rPhe rim of the retainer 45 is provided at opposite sides with the notches or slots 67 receiving the shank 17 and pin 21 which thereby lock or secure the tumbler unit in the recess 13. The shank 17 is provided with a notch or cut-away portion 68 so arranged, that when the shackle has its free terminal withdrawn from the body and turned to a predetermined position, as seen in Fig. 6, the notch 68 registers with the recess 13, to permit the tumbler unit to be withdrawn from the recess 13 past. the shank 17, and when the pin 21 is also withdrawn from the corresponding notch or slot- 67, the tumbler unit or device can lbe withdrawn from the recess 13, the slot 47 of the retainer 45 opening rearwardly for the passage of the lug 27 of the latch 24. ln this way, the tumbler unit can be readily withdrawn from the body or case when the lock is opened and the shackle properly positioned and the pin 21 Withdrawn. The sections of the retainer 45 can then be sepa rated, 'which permits the tumblers to be separated, for changing the combination. The combination is changed by turning the rings 40, 41 and 42 relatively to the dials to bring the. apertures of the rings into registration with different recesses 56 and apertures 57 and 58, respectively, of the dials or tumbler members, as will be apparent. Then the tumbler device is assembled and inserted in the recess or socket 13, the pin 21 being inserted in the bore 15 and the shackle 16 turned or slid from its position seen in Fig. 6, will thereby securely lock the tu1nbler unit in the body Then the shackle 16 orother member controlled by the lock, is in closed or locked position, with the latch 24 engaging it,` as seen in Fig. 4, and the combination destroyed, so as to disarrange the tumblers, the balls 53, 54 and 55 are out of radial alinement with reference to the tumbler unit, as seen in Fig. 4. The ball 54 is movable radially in the aperture 51 and correspond ing aperture 57 to enter either the groove 62 or the groove 63, and the ball 55 is movable radially in the aperture 52 to enter either the groove 63 or the groove 64, and the ball 55, which is used to retract the latch 24, cannot be made effective or positioned to retract the latch, unless the tumblers are turned to a relative predetermined position, to bring those graduations in radial alinement or registration` according to the positions of the balls with reference to the graduations of the dials. When the tumblers are set for the particular combination, the balls 53, 54 and 55 are brought in radial alinement. Thus, the ball 53 projecting into the groove 52, will be in the path of the ball 54, so that when the ball 54 is moved into radial alinement with the ball 53,' the ball 54 is forced radially outward by cam action, to project into the groove 63, and the ball 55, when brought into raidial alinement with the ball 54, will likewise be forced outwardly from the groove 63 by cam action to project into the groove 64. The ball 55 is thus pro` jec'ted into the groove 64 into the path of the lug 27, and when the tumblers are in this position and turned (clock-wise as seen in Fig. 6) the ball 55 in engaging the lug 27 will retract the latch 24, thereby releasing the shackle 16. The ejector pin 21 will therefore eject the free lend of the shackle from the body. thereby opening the lock. rEhe lock is again readily closed by pushing the shackle to closed position, and the pin 21 is forced back into the bore 15, and the latch 24 snaps into engagement with the shackle.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a lock, relatively movable tumblers, means movable With the tumblers and arranged to move relatively to the tumblers when the tumblers are brought to a predetermined relative position, and latching means arranged to be moved with the tumblers by said means vghen (said means are moved relatively to the tumblers.

2. In a lock, relatively movable tum blers, means movable With and carried by said tumblers and arranged to be forcibly moved relatively to the tnmblers when the tumblers are brought to a predetermined relative position, and latching means arranged to be engaged by the irstnamed means when the firstnamed means are moved relatively to the tumblers so as to move the lastnamed means with the tumblers.

3. In a lock, relatively movable tumblers, a member to be operated by said tumblers, and means carried by the tumblers adapted to be projected from the tumblers When the tumblers are brought to a predetermined relative position to engage said member for moving it With the tumblers.

et. In a lock, relatively movable tumblers, a member to be moved by said tumblers, and cooperable elements movable with the tumblers and arranged to move relatively to the tumblers, when the tumblers are brought to a relative predetermined position, to establish a connection between said member and tumblers for moving said member With said tumblers.

5. In a lock, relatively movable tumblers, amember to be operated by the tumblers, and means carried by the tnmblers and arranged, When the tumblers are brought'to a predetermined relative position., to move relatively to the tumblers and malte connection with said member for moving it With the tumblers.

6. In a lock, relatively movable tumblers, elements movable with said tumblers and arranged to be brought into alinement when the tumblers are brought to a predetermined relative position, said elements being movable relatively to the tumblers When said elements are in alinement, and latching means arranged to be moved by said elements when they are in alinement and j moved relatively to the tumblers.

til)

7. In a lock, relatively movable tumblers, elements movable with said tumblers and arranged to be brought into alinement and contact, and arranged toV move relatively to the tumblers when in alinement to project one ot said elements, and latching means movable with the tumblers by said projected element `when the elements are in alinement and moved relatively to the tumblers.

8. In a lock, relatively movable tumblers, elements movable with the tumblers and arranged to contact when the .tumblers are brought to a predetermined relative position and to be forcibly moved relatively to the tumblers by such contact, and means arranged to be engaged by one of said elements When said elements are moved relatively to the tumblers.

9. In a lock, relatively movable tumblers, balls movable With the Vtumblers to be brought into alinement land arranged to contact by cam action when brought into alinement tor projecting one of said balls, and latch means controlled by. the projected ball.

10. In a lock, relatively movable ftumblers, balls movable With said tumblers to be brought into alinement, and arranged -to contact by cam action when brought into alinement for projecting one ot the balls, and a member adapted to be operated by said projected ball.

11. In'a lock, concentric relatively rotatable tumblers, an element movable With each tumbler, said elements being arrangedto aline radially of the tumblers when the tumblers are turned to a predetermined position relatively to one another, and means controlled by said elements When in alinement.

12. In a lock, concentric relatively rotatable tumblers` an element movable with each tumbler, said elementsv being arranged to aline radially or the tumblers and to move radially of the tumblers When alined, and means controlled by said elements when moved relatively to the tumblers.

18. In a lock, concentric relatively rotatable tumblers, armember to be moved by said tumblers, an element movable With each tumbler, said elements being arranged to aline in a predetermined relative position of said tumblers, andsaid elements being movable relatively to the tumblers when said elements are alined, for the engagement ot said member by one of said elements to move said member With the tumblers.

14. In a lock, concentric relatively rotatable tumblers, a ball movable with each ot said tumblers, .said balls being adapted to be alined radially of the tumblers When the tumblers are turned to a lpredetermined position relatively to one another, and means controlled by said balls when so alined.

15. Ina lock, concentric `relatively rotatable tnmblers, balls movable separately with said tumblers to be alined radially of said tumblers for projecting one ball by cam action between the balls, and latch means operable by said projected ball.

16. In aV lock, relatively movable tumblers, elements movable with said tumblers to be brought into alinement, and means controlled by said elements when in alinement, each tumbler having a series of apertures tor receiving the corresponding ele` ment tochange the combination.

17. In a lock, concentric relatively rotatable tumblers, elements movable with said noV tumblers to aline radially of said tumblers, means controlled by said elements when so alined, each tumbler having an annular series of apertures for receiving the corresponding elements to change the combination.

18. In a. lock, a tumbler having relatively adjusted parts with apertures to register in diiferent relative positions of said parts7 and a loclr controlling element to be disposed in registering apertures for moving one part with the other and movable in said apertures relatively to both of said parts.

19. In a lock, a tumbler having relatively movable parts, one part having a series of apertures and the other part an aperture to register with said apertures in the different relative adjustments of said parts, a lock controlling element to be dispose-d in the registering apertures for moving one part with the other and movable in said apertures, and means controlled by said element when moved in said apertures.

20. In a lock, a rotatable tumbler having parts adapted to be turned to different positions relatively7 to one another and provided with apertures adapted to register in the different positions of said parts, a lock controlling element to be disposed in registering apertures in said parts for turning one part with the other, means for moving said element in said apertures, and means controlled by the movement oi. said element in said apertures.

21. In a lock, a rotatable tumbler including a tumbler member anda ring fitting it7 said ring and member being rotatable relatively to one another for changing the angular position, one of said parts having a series of apertures and the other an aperture to register with said apertures in the diiferent relative positions of said member and ring, and a lock controlling element to be movably disposed in the registering apertures.

22. In a lock, concentric relatively rotatable tumblers each having a circular portion with an annular series of apertures and a ring fitting said portion for rotatable adjustment relatively thereto and having an aperture to register with the aforesaid apertures, and an element for each tumbler to be disposed in the registering apertures of the ring and portion of the tumbler7 said elements being cooperable when in radial alinement, and means controlled by said elements when in radial alinement.

23. In a lock, concentric relatively rotatable tumblers each including a circular portion and a ring fitted thereon for rotary adjustment7 said portion and ring having apertures adapted to register in different relative positions of said portion and ring, said portions and rings of the several tumblers surrounding one another7 balls disposed in the registering apertures of the several tumblers to engage by cam action when alined radially, said rings having annular grooves in which the balls are movable to engage one another by the relaltive rotation lof the tumblers, and means controlled by said balls when radially alined.

24. In a lock, tumblers fitting one another, and a retainer receiving and holding said tumblers, one tumbler having an index portion at one end7 the other end of said tumbler and retainer having portions to interengage for holding them assembled, and the other tumblers being disposed around the aforesaid tumbler between said index portion and retainer.

25. In a lock, rotatable tumblers located concentrically one around the other, and a retainer receiving and holding said tumblers, the central tumbler having an index portion at one end, the other end of the central tumbler and retainer having portions to interengage tor holding them assembled, and the surrounding tumblers being disposed between said index portion and retainer.

26. In a lock, a set of tumblers, and a retainer receiving and holding said tumblers, one tumbler having a portion to be engaged by the retainer, the retainer being` composed of sections to be brought together to receive and hold the tumblers therein and to engage said sections with said portion for anchoring said tumbler to the retainer, the other tumblers being held between said tumbler and retainer.

27. In a lock, concentric rotatable tumblers surrounding one another, and a retainer tor receiving and holding said tumblers, one tumbler having an index portion at one end, the other end of said tumbler and retainer having portions engaging one another with a swivel connection, the other tumblers being held between said tumbler and retainer. A

28. In a lock, concentric relatively rotatable tumblers, and a retainer for receiving and holdin T said tumblers, one tumbler having a swivel connection with the retainer for holding them assembled, the other tumblers being held between said tumbler and retainer, said retainer being composed of sections to be separated for disconnecting the retainer and iirstnamed tumbler.

29. In a lock, concentric relatively rotatable tumblers, a cup-shaped retainer for receiving and holding said tumblers therein, said retainer having an aperture, one tumbler having a portion to it in said aperture for svvivelling and anchoring said tumbler to said retainer, the other tumblers being held between said tumbler and retainer, and the retainer being composed of separable sections to detach the irstnamed tumbler and retainer.

30. In a lock, a body, a retainer litted in said body and composed of separable sections held together while in the body, and tumblers in said retainer, one tumbler and said retainer having portions engaging one another to hold the tumblers and retainer assembled while the sections of the retainer are held together in the body.

3l. In a lock', concentric relatively rotatable tumblers, and a retainer, a central Vtumbler having swivel portion and the retainer having a portion to engage said swivel portion for anchoring said tumbler to the retainer with the swivel connection, said retainer comprising separablesect-ions for disconnecting said retainer and tumbler, and the surrounding tumblers being confined between the aforesaid tumbler and retainer.

32. In a lock, concentric relatively rtatable tumblers, and a retainer, the central tumbler having a swivel portion and the retainer having an aperture receiving said portion for anchoring said tumbler to the retainer with a swivel connection, said retainer comprising separable sections for disconnecting said retainer and tumbler, the tumblers having shoulders abutting one another and the surrounding tumblers abutting said retainer.

33. In a lock, a body, a retainer fitted in the body, and tumblers assembled'with the c retainer, said retainer and one tumbler having interengaging portions holding the tumblers and retainer assembled, and said retainer comprising separable sections 'for disconnecting the retainerl and tumblers when the retainer is removed from the body.

34C. In a padlock, a body, a tumbler device removably fitted in said body, and a shackle having a shank fitted in the body, said shackle being under the control of said device, said device having a portion engaging said shank for holding said device in the body, and said shank having a notch at one side permitting the removal of said device through said notch when the shackle is recess, and a shackle having a shank fitted in the body tangentially relatively to said recess, said device having a notch engaged by said shank for holding said device in the recess, and the shank having a notch at one side to be positioned, when the shackle is opened, to permit said device to be removed from the recess tl rough said notch'.

36. In a padlock, a body having ak recess, a tumbler device fitted removably in said recess, a shackle having a shank litted in the body, a spring pressed ejector slidable in the body for disengaging the shackle from the body, said shank and pin being at opposite sides of said recess, said device having opposite notches engaging said shank and pin, and said shank having aV notch to register with said recess when the shackle is opened and properly positioned, so that when the shackle is so positioned and said pin removed, said device can be Yremoved from the recess.

37. In a padlock, a body comprising a pair of sections secured'together having grooves at their adjacent surfaces providing bores and a recess extending to one bore, one bore having an enlarged portion, a-shackle having ashank at one end fitted in said bore `for sliding and turning Vmovement, said shank having a flange in saidA enlarged portion to limit the sliding movement ol said shank, the other end of the shackle having a portion to enter the other bore, and a latch slidable in said recess to engage the last? named portion. y

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOI-IN L. SAUNDERS, JESSE C. SAUNDERS. Witnesses:

Gno. F. Booria,l GEO. A. MELTON. 

